Coccinellid predators of mealybugs infesting banana in South India, including a new species and a new record of Scymnus Kugelann (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with notes on other natural enemies.

Several species of mealybugs infest various parts of bananas and plantains including foliage, fruits, rhizome and roots in all the major banana growing regions of India and cause moderate to occasionally serious damage but systematic attempts at documenting the mealybug pests of banana and their natural enemies are lacking in India. In this study, mealybugs infesting bananas and plantains in Tamil Nadu, South India, are documented along with their coccinellid predators and other natural enemies. The exotic Jack Beardsley mealybug, Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Gimpel & Miller, was found to be a major pest of banana bunches in all localities surveyed in Tamil Nadu and the grey pineapple mealybug, Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley, was a serious pest in some isolated pockets. Three coccinellids, Scymnus (Pullus) coccivora Ramakrishna Ayyar, Nephus regularis Sicard and Slipinskiscymnus saciformis (Motschulsky) were found to be the major predators of all species of mealybugs. Brumoides suturalis (Fabricius) was predatory on solenopsis mealybug (Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley) only and Hyperaspis maindroni Sicard was associated with solenopsis mealybug and pink pineapple mealybug (Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell)). One new species, Scymnus (Pullus) spicatus sp. n., is described as a predator of Jack Beardsley mealybug and striped mealybug (Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell)). Scymnus (Pullus) syoitii Sasaji, 1971, a Japanese species, is recorded for the first time from India as a predator of banana root mealybugs in Tamil Nadu and on Planococcus citri (Risso) in Karnataka. Brief notes on the other natural enemies of banana mealybugs are also given with illustrations.

Identity of the 'true' Micraspis discolor (Fabricius) (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) with illustrated diagnostic notes on other Micraspis spp. in Indian paddy fields.

Micraspis discolor (Fabricius, 1798) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), a widely studied complex of externally similar species, is known to be distributed in all the major rice growing countries of the Oriental region. It consists of disjunct populations that have been treated as a single taxonomic entity, but these are not conspecific and show disparities in their morphology. In this paper, we establish the identity of the true M. discolor based on Fabricius's type material from Tamil Nadu, Southern India, and redescribe it with illustrations of the diagnostic characters and the life stages. A lectotype is designated for M. discolor from Fabricius's type material (lectotype designation). Coccinella tenuilinea Walker, 1859, a sympatric species closely related to M. discolor and omitted from Korschefsky's World Catalogue of Coccinellidae, is transferred to Micraspis (new combination) and a lectotype is designated for it. It is found to be the most predominant species in South India and redescribed with illustrations of the genitalia and the life stages. COI sequences of M. discolor, M. tenuilinea and M. yasumatsui Sasaji based on the material collected in India are given. Phylogenetic analysis of the COI sequences of Indian M. discolor and other Asian 'M. discolor' sequences confirm that the Indian M. discolor is a distinct species and all Micraspis spp. from South and southeast Asian countries not matching the true M. discolor described here need to be re-examined and renamed if necessary. Brief illustrated accounts of other Micraspis spp. known from the paddy ecosystems of India are also given. Alesia guerini Mulsant, 1850, currently placed in Micraspis, is transferred to Oenopia Mulsant (new combination) and Coelophora walteri Sicard, 1913 is a new junior synonym of O. guerini (new synonym).

A review of the tribe Noviini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of the Indian subcontinent.

The tribe Noviini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is economically important as its members are mainly predators of giant scales belonging to the family Monophlebidae and occasionally, mealybugs (Pseudococcidae). At present, 17 species of the tribe, all belonging to the sole recognized genus Novius Mulsant, are known from the Indian region. An illustrated account of the Indian species of Novius is presented here with brief diagnostic accounts, illustrations of the genitalia and details on the distribution, host insects and associated host plants. Life stages of the species are also illustrated wherever available. An updated checklist of Novius species of the Indian subcontinent is provided.

A new species of Scymnus Kugelann (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) predatory on amla aphid, Schoutedenia emblica (Patel & Kulkarni) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), from India.

Scymnus (Scymnus) hodeki sp. n. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is described and illustrated from Tamil Nadu, South India. It appears to be a specific predator of the aphid, Schoutedenia emblica (Patel & Kulkarni) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a major pest of Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.). Notes on the life stages, biology, and natural enemies of the new species are also provided and illustrated. Other predators of the aphid are also listed and illustrated.

-A review of Platynaspini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of the Indian subcontinent, including description of a new genus from north-eastern India and Bangladesh.

The tribe Platynaspini (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) of the Indian subcontinent is reviewed and ten species of Platynaspis Redtenbacher 1843 are briefly described and illustrated with notes on their distribution, biology, and hosts, wherever known. A lectotype is designated for Platynaspis flavoguttata (Gorham, 1894) (lectotype designation). Neoplatynaspis nataliae gen. et sp. nov. is described and illustrated from the north-eastern Indian state of Meghalaya and Bangladesh. It differs from Platynaspis and Platycrus Szawaryn & Slipinski 2022, the two existing genera of Platynaspini, by its unusual antenna with a highly modified pedicel, scape and the terminal antennomere forming a large knife-shaped club, legs with enlarged femora, strongly angulate tibiae and trimerous tarsi. A revised key to the genera of Platynaspini and an updated checklist of the Platynaspini of the Indian subcontinent are provided.

An illustrated guide to the lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of the Indian Subcontinent. Part II. Tribe Chilocorini.

An illustrated guide to the lady beetles of the tribe Chilocorini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Coccinellinae) of the Indian region is presented. Brief diagnostic accounts of six genera and 31 species are given with supporting illustrations of the diagnostic characters, including genitalia, wherever possible. Details of distribution, host insects / plant associations, and seasonal occurrences are provided for the first time based on extensive collections, label data and published literature. Chilocorus keralensis sp. n. is described from the Western Ghats, South India. Brumoides lineatus sensu Kapur 1967, recorded from the Andaman Islands, is found to be distinct from B. lineatus Weise 1885, and described and illustrated as B. andamanensis sp. n. Phaenochilus indicus Miyatake, 1970 and P. flaviceps Miyatake, 1970 are transferred to Chilocorus Leach (comb. n.) following the latest phylogenetic generic classification of Chilocorini. Three species, Chilocorus albomarginalis (Li & Wang), Chilocorus nigricaeruleus Li & Wang and Chilocorus yunlongensis Cao & Xiao, all originally described from China, are added to the Indian fauna of Chilocorini based on material examined from the north-eastern Indian states of Assam, Meghalaya, and Manipur, respectively. For nine species, illustrations of the life stages are included to facilitate their field identification. A key to the genera and an updated and revised checklist of the Chilocorini of the Indian subcontinent are also provided.

Slipinskiscymnus gen. nov., a new ladybird genus of Scymnini (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) and notes on the taxonomic status of Keiscymnus Sasaji.

Slipinskiscymnus gen. nov. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is proposed to accommodate two anomalous species of Scymnini, namely, Scymnus pallidicollis Mulsant, 1853 (= Slipinskiscymnus pallidicollis (Mulsant), comb. nov.) and Scymnus saciformis Motschulsky, 1858 (=Slipinskiscymnus saciformis (Motschulsky), comb. nov.) and five new species, Slipinskiscymnus confertus Peng et Chen sp. nov., S. siculiformis Peng et Chen sp. nov., S. spiculatus Peng et Chen sp. nov., S. interstricus Peng et Chen sp. nov. and S. keralensis Poorani sp. nov., described from China and India. A lectotype is designated for Scymnus saciformis Motschulsky, 1858 (lectotype designation). Descriptive accounts of these species with illustrations of adult habitus, male genitalia and other diagnostic characters are given with a key to species. Notes on the status of the genus Keiscymnus Sasaji, 1971, are also provided.

An illustrated guide to lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of the Indian Subcontinent. Part 1. Tribe Coccinellini.

An illustrated guide to the tribe Coccinellini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Coccinellinae) of the Indian Subcontinent comprising 119 species of 30 genera is presented. Brief diagnostic accounts of the genera and the species included therein are given with supporting illustrations of diagnostic characters, including genitalia, wherever available. Details of distribution, prey and plant associations, and seasonal occurrence are provided based on collections, label data and literature. For 31 species, illustrations of the life stages are included to facilitate the field identification of the immature stages. Adalia puetzi Iablokoff-Khnzorian, 1986 is synonymized with Adalia simmondsi Kapur & Sudha Rao, 1962 (new synonym). Oenopia smetanai Canepari, 1997 is removed from synonymy with O. flavidbrunna Jing, 1986 and restored as a valid species (status revised). Illeis kapuri Anand, Gupta & Ghai is transferred to Ortalia Mulsant, 1850 (new combination). Two new species, Harmonia andamanensis sp. n. and Phrynocaria prathapani sp. n. are described and illustrated from the Andamans and the Western Ghats, respectively. Coelophora lushuiensis (Jing, 1992) is documented as a new record for India (Manipur). An updated checklist of the Coccinellini of the Indian Subcontinent is also provided.

A brief review of the tribe Telsimiini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of the Indian subcontinent, including three new species of Telsimia Casey from South India.

Species of the tribe Telsimiini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of the Indian subcontinent, all belonging to a single genus, Telsimia Casey, 1899, are briefly reviewed. Three new species, Telsimia pygmaea sp. n., Telsimia intricata sp. n. (both from Tamil Nadu) and Telsimia mudigerensis sp. n. (from Karnataka), are described and illustrated from southern India. The immature stages of Telsimia pygmaea sp. n. and Telsimia intricata sp. n. are also illustrated along with details of their associated hosts and host plants. Telsimia sichuanensis Pang & Mao, 1979 is a new addition to the Indian fauna (from the northeastern state of Manipur). An updated checklist of the Telsimiini of the Indian Subcontinent is provided.

A review of Horniolus Weise (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from the Indian region, including descriptions of two new species.

Species of the genus Horniolus Weise (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from the Indian region are reviewed and two new species, Horniolus darjeelingensis sp. n. and Horniolus wiolettae sp. n. are described and illustrated from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, respectively. Platynaspis nepalensis Canepari, 1997, described from Nepal, is transferred to Horniolus (comb. n.). An updated checklist of the species known from this region is provided.

A review of the tribe Hyperaspidini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from the Indian region.

The tribe Hyperaspidini is represented by a single genus, Hyperaspis Chevrolat 1837, in the Indian subcontinent and only six species are known at present. Two species distributed in the Indian mainland, Hyperaspis leechi Miyatake 1961 and H. maindroni Sicard 1929, and one species from Nepal, H. marginaloides Canepari 1997, are reviewed and illustrated with notes on their diagnosis, biology and distribution. An updated checklist of the species known from the Indian subcontinent is provided.

Indian species of Shirozuellini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), including a new species of Sasajiella Miyatake from Tamil Nadu.

The tribe Shirozuellini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is represented by only four species in the Indian Subcontinent. The two species found in mainland India, Promecopharus andrewesi Sicard and Ghanius karachiensis Ahmad, are briefly reviewed: the species are diagnosed, key characters illustrated, and information provided on their distribution and hosts. The genus Sasajiella Miyatake (Coccinellidae: Shirozuellini), is reported for the first time from mainland India and a new species, Sasajiella boothi sp. n., collected from the state of Tamil Nadu, is described and illustrated. The male genitalia and larva of Sasajiella are illustrated for the first time. This is one of only five species in the tribe Shirozuellini known from the Indian subcontinent.

Immature stages, host plants and natural enemies of Henosepilachna implicata (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) with DNA sequence data and a new synonym and notes on some Indian species of Epilachnini.

Life stages of Henosepilachna implicata (Mulsant), an economically important species of Epilachnini in India, are documented and illustrated. Mitochondrial DNA sequence data is provided for the first time for H. implicata with additional details on its host plants, distribution, and natural enemies. Its similarities and differences with other common pestiferous Henosepilachna spp. in India such as H. vigintioctopunctata (F.), H. septima (Dieke) and H. pusillanima (Mulsant) are discussed. Epilachna circularis Korschefsky, 1933 is found to be conspecific with H. implicata and is reduced to a junior synonym of the latter (new synonym). Notes are given on the distribution and natural enemies of some other species of Epilachnini of the Indian region.

A new species of Protoplotina Miyatake (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from Tamil Nadu, India.

Protoplotina ambigua sp. n. (Coccinellidae: Plotinini) from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu is described and illustrated. This is the third species of the genus reported from India. Immature stages of the genus Protoplotina are briefly described and illustrated for the first time with notes on host association. A revised key to the known species of the genus is also included.

A review of Indian species of Phrynocaria Timberlake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) with notes on synonymy and a new species from South India, hitherto misidentified as Coelophora circumusta (Mulsant).

Indian species of Phrynocaria Timberlake, 1943 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are briefly reviewed and illustrated with notes on diagnosis, nomenclature, distribution and hosts. Coelophora circumusta (Mulsant, 1850), which has a limited distribution in India, is transferred to Phrynocaria (new combination) and Coelophora moseri Weise, 1902 is synonymized with it (new synonym). A new species, Phrynocaria perfida Poorani, sp. n. (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) is described from South India based on specimens hitherto misidentified as a variety of C. circumusta. The validity of Phrynocaria funebris (Crotch, 1874) is confirmed based on examination and dissection of the type specimen; the species is redescribed and the male genitalia illustrated.

A new species of Micraspis Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India.

Micraspis unicus sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is described and illustrated from the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and compared with other related species. Food preferences in Micraspis are briefly discussed.

Illustrated accounts of coccinellid predators of Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Pseudococcidae) on mulberry in India, with description of a new species of Scymnus Kugelann (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from West Bengal.

The pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), is a major pest of mulberry (Morus alba L.), the sole host of the mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori (L.), which is a source of livelihood to millions of sericulture farmers in India. Several predators, mainly Coccinellidae (Coleoptera), have been reported to feed on M. hirsutus on mulberry. Coccinellid predators of M. hirsutus collected on mulberry from different parts of India are illustrated here with brief diagnostic notes to facilitate their identification. An account of mycophagous species of coccinellids commonly found on mulberry and misreported as predators of mulberry pests is also given with illustrations. Scymnus (Pullus) latifolius sp. nov., a promising predator of M. hirsutus, hitherto misidentified and reported as Scymnus pallidicollis Mulsant, is described and illustrated from West Bengal, India, with detailed biological notes. Keiscymnus taiwanensis Yang Wu, 1972 is reduced to a new junior synonym of Scymnus pallidicollis Mulsant, 1853 (syn. nov.). Illeis bielawskii Ghorpade, 1976 is found to be a valid species and removed from synonymy with I. bistigmosa Mulsant, 1850 (stat. rev.).

Stethorus spp. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) predatory on Schizotetranychus hindustanicus (Hirst) (Acari: Tetranychidae) from South India, including a new species and a new synonymy in Indian Stethorus.

Stethorus forficatus sp. nov. and Stethorus tetranychi Kapur (Coccinellidae: Stethorini) are reported as predators of the citrus hindu mite, Schizotetranychus hindustanicus (Hirst), from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Stethorus forficatus sp. nov. is described and illustrated with diagnostic notes on S. tetranychi and S. vietnamicus Hoàng, morphologically its closest relatives. In a remarkable case of larval mimicry in Stethorus, the larva of this species mimics the larvae of S. tetranychi and S. pauperculus Weise. Stethorus curvus Hoàng, 1985 is reduced to a new junior synonym of Stethorus keralicus Kapur, 1961 (syn. nov.).

Harmonia manillana (Mulsant), a new addition to Indian Coccinellidae, with changes in synonymy.

BACKGROUND: Harmonia dunlopi (Crotch), a rare lady beetle species, was originally described from 'India' by Crotch (1874). But information on subsequent sightings of this species is absent and it has not been reported by anyone from India and its neighbouring countries ever since its original description. Because of this, Indian records of H. dunlopi were suspected to be probably misidentifications of H. dimidiata (F.), a species common in northern and northeastern India and also widely distributed in the Oriental region. NEW INFORMATION: A single male specimen of a species collected in recent surveys from Arunachal Pradesh, India, was suspected to be H. dunlopi. Comparison of this specimen with the collections at the Natural History Museum, London, confirmed that it belonged to Harmonia manillana (Mulsant), hitherto known from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Harmonia manillana is a highly polymorphic species with many synonyms and based on examination of the type material, the following nomenclatural changes are proposed. Harmonia dunlopi was found to be only a color variant of H. manillana and hence it is reduced to a junior synonym of H. manillana (syn. nov.). Harmonia decussata (Crotch 1874) is removed from synonymy with H. manillana and reinstated as a valid species (stat. rev.) and H. flavomarginata Bielawski 1968 is a new junior synonym of H. decussata (syn. nov.). This is the first record of H. manillana for India and South Asia. The male genitalia of H. manillana are illustrated and compared with those of H. dimidiata, the more common Indian species, to facilitate its recognition.

Two new species of Scymnini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from Karnataka, India.

BACKGROUND: The Scymnini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of the Indian region is rich and highly speciose, with nearly 90 described species and scores of undescribed species (Poorani 2002). There is a dire need to systematically revise the genera and species of this tribe from the Indian region. Due to paucity of representative collections covering the entire region and lack of access to types, it is difficult to identify most of the Scymnini of the Indian region to species. As a result, many economically important species remain poorly characterized, or worse, unnamed. NEW INFORMATION: Two economically important and unique species of Scymnini (Coccinellidae) belonging to Horniolus Weise (1900) and Scymnus (Pullus) Mulsant (1846) from the Southern Indian state of Karnataka that have remained unnamed for long are treated in this paper. These species are externally similar to other known species and often misidentified. Horniolussororius sp. n. and Scymnus (Pullus) rajeshwariae sp. n. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are described here and illustrated with notes on their biology and related species.